Thursday, July 31, 2014

Man wearing only a towel and carrying a gun takes three small children to get pizza, unintentionally discharges gun

27-year-old Phillip Engle, of Muskegon Township, Michigan, told police he took four hits of acid before showing up at Happy's Pizza wearing only a towel and carrying a handgun.

Engle had three children with him - ages 6,4 and 3.  According to police reports, Engle stood outside the business and pounded on a glass window, smashing the glass. He also unintentionally discharged his .40-caliber semi-automatic handgun in the process, damaging the door to the business.

After the gun went off, Engle walked back to his home. Police arrested him there when they found him sitting on the porch still holding the gun.

Child Protect Services were notified and Engle was arrested and charged with four misdemeanors: malicious destruction of property; careless discharge of a firearm causing property damage; reckless use of a firearm; and possession of a firearm while under the influence.

Police also found evidence that Engle had fired a gun inside his vehicle, damaging the interior.  However, it isn't clear when that gunfire incident occurred in relation to the Happy's Pizza incident.


Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Joe Riggs unintentionally shoots himself, putting UFC return on hold

Joe Riggs is an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) welterweight fighter.  He was scheduled to make his return to the UFC after eight years away on Sept. 13th.  But his return has been put on hold after he unintentionally shot himself while cleaning his handgun.

Riggs was at his home in Arizona when he unintentionally discharged the handgun, shooting himself in his hand and upper thigh. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

The UFC is currently looking for a replacement for the Sept. 13th fight.

Monday, July 28, 2014

Pregnant woman shot and killed in unintentional shooting

25-year-old Katherine Hoover of Inverness, Florida was at a friend's house in Brooksville Saturday night.  Katherine and her husband, Carson, were looking at William DeHayes' gun collection, admiring his .22 caliber revolver.  William was holding the gun when he unintentionally discharged the weapon, shooting Katherine in the head. 

Katherine was rushed to the local hospital and airlifted to Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point.  She died of her injuries.

Katherine was five months pregnant and an effort was made to save the unborn child.  Physicians removed the fetus from his dying mother but he was pronounced dead a short time later.

Katherine is survived by her 6-year-old son Nicholas.

Police are still investigating the incident and no charges have been filed against 33-year-old DeHayes.

Monday, July 14, 2014

Woman hospitalized after unintentional shooting in hotel room

27-year-old Amanda Soape, of Mineola, Texas, had rented a room in the local Best Western Inn. According to reports, Amanda was there with another female when two males stopped by to visit.

One of the men had a small caliber handgun and was showing off the gun when it unintentionally discharged, striking Amanda in the jaw.   She was taken to the medical center in Tyler for treatment. Her injuries were described as non-life threatening but she remains hospitalized.

No charges have been filed at this time.

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Town official wants to close gun range after bullet grazes neighbor

A woman was standing in the back yard of a home in Greenburgh, New York when a bullet fragment grazed her leg.  The injury was minor and she was treated at the scene but it raised concern about the safety of a nearby gun range.

Testing confirmed that the bullet came from the Westchester County Police Revolver and Rifle League.  The gun range is operated by a private, non-profit organization and has been operational for seventy years.  However, in that time housing developments and a middle school have grown around them.

Paul Feiner, the Greenburgh Town Supervisor, wants to see the range closed. "I don't think a gun range should be located in a residential neighborhood," he said.

Feiner added that when he contacted the state he was stunned to learn there are no regulations governing gun ranges.  "There's no inspection, they don't need any approvals," he said.

The group has voluntarily ceased operations while police investigate the incident.

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Woman unintentionally shot at Pennsylvania gun show

Krysta Gearhart, of Orangeville, Pennsylvania was unintentionally shot at the Eagle Arms Guns Show at the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds on Saturday.

According to police, a firearm vendor at the gun show, Geoffrey Hawk, was demonstrating how to use a concealed carry holster.  Instead of using a plastic model gun, Hawk was using a semi-automatic .380 handgun.  Hawk had removed the magazine but didn't realize there was a bullet still left in the chamber.

Hawk unintentionally discharged the gun.  The bullet struck Krysta in the leg. She was taken to the hospital for treatment.

Police have referred the case to the district attorney to determine if criminal charges should be filed.